Homemade stain removal remedies.

Do you remember that friend growing up who never let you wear shoes in the house? Ideally you were that friend, or at least have become that friend. Because that friend probably had pristine carpets. And of course, that is also what you want. But simply shedding your shoes in the foyer isn’t going to get you there. You’re also going to need to have a top-notch stain removal plan.

At Southeast Steam, we recommend you get a professional carpet cleaning on a frequent basis. But what about all the small spills and stains between carpet cleanings? Depending on the type of carpet in your home, there are numerous ways to attend to unseemly stains. And you don’t have to go out and buy specialized carpet cleaner or machines.

Here are some household items, some of them surprising, that you can use for spot and stain removal.

Ammonia

This one isn’t so surprising; you can find ammonia in many household cleaners. These household cleaners work because ammonia is a corrosive alkaline, which makes it great for stain removal. Ammonia solutions form when ammonia gas mixes with water, creating a 5% or 10% solution.

We recommend you are a little more conservative with your solution. Add 1 cup of ammonia to half a gallon of warm water, creating roughly a 6% solution. Sponge the stain and then let it dry. Repeat this process a few times if necessary.

Vinegar

Of course vinegar would be good at stain removal. It is like the smelly brother to every other household cleaner. Except some people consume it with their fries. (Guilty.)

But the truth is vinegar is an extremely capable cleaner. It has been around for a long time and humans have long known its cleaning and even healing properties. It acts as a disinfectant; acids in vinegar literally attack and kill bacteria. It also helps to eliminate odor, which is helpful when removing pet urine stains from the carpet.

Vinegar couples well with most of the items on this list. For light stains, a simple solution of vinegar and warm water will help pull those stains out of your carpet.

Shaving cream

When you think about it, this one makes sense. Shaving cream is essentially a soap; it disinfects your face when you apply it for a shave. And it works on other surfaces, including your carpet.

Pat down the stain with a wet sponge, apply the shaving cream, then wipe it off with your damp sponge. Like dish soap, shaving cream also cuts through oil and grease like a knife. This is a fierce combatant against all manner of dye or oil-based stains.

Milk and cornstarch

Together, these two surprising ingredients can either make you delicious cornbread or strike out that stain. (Add some vinegar and you’re in business either way.) For a dye or oil-based stain, this concoction can save your carpet. Mix a little milk with cornstarch to make a paste, then spread it on the affected area. After letting it dry for a few hours, vacuum it up and, although no cornbread, you’ll have a stain-free surface.

The fine powder that is cornstarch gets everywhere, which is what makes it so absorbent and effective.

WD-40

This water-displacing lubricant has plenty of uses. From getting broken keys out of locks to, say, stain removal, the oil base performs magnificently. For our purposes, apply the WD-40 to the stain and then gently wash with warm, soapy water.

Hydrogen peroxide and toothpaste

What is good for your teeth is apparently also good for your carpet. Together, these household items act as a sort of bleach. Just make sure to use 3% hydrogen peroxide and non-gel toothpaste. Whip up a quick paste with a teaspoon of the hydrogen peroxide and just a dab of the toothpaste and you have your homemade solution. With a soft cloth, gently rub the stain and then rinse.

Baking soda

Another baking ingredient to the rescue. The effect of baking soda for stain removal is three-fold: it not only cleans, but sanitizes and deodorizes as well. This makes it particularly effective against urine or vomit stains.  This also makes it a handy companion to doing laundry.

For our purposes, you’ll want to clean and wipe up as much of the original mess as possible. Sprinkle the baking soda liberally over the stain, then let it sit for a while. After a few hours or so, vacuum up the baking soda. Your stain should be long gone by now. If not, simply repeat.

Club soda

Like vinegar, this homemade remedy has been around for a long time. And like vinegar, some people consume it.

A repeated process of blotting and dousing is key here. Start by cleaning up as much of the mess as possible, then soak the area in club soda. Do this a few more times, and your stain should be as good as gone.

Keep your carpets clean with frequent stain removal practices

Obviously, none of these stain removal practices are an adequate replacement for a professional carpet cleaning. Southeast Steam uses a method called hot water extraction for a deeper, more thorough cleaning of the carpet fibers. This is the quality carpet cleaning you’ll need every six to nine months to keep your carpets pristine. However, in a bind, these quick and ready remedies can be a life saver. For more ideas, and the inspiration for some of these methods, take a look at the Reader’s Digest slideshow.

Whether from heavy hitters like vomit or urine, or just foot traffic over time, carpets take all sorts of abuse. Store-bought carpet cleaners can be dicey, especially if you don’t have a professional opinion on a brand. These quick fixes listed above are safe and sufficient to remove stains until the cavalry comes in. Knowing how to take care of your carpet between cleanings is not only good for looks, but sanitary as well. Plus it will bring you one step closer to becoming that friend with the nice carpets.